NORTH SHOREVIEW MONTESSORI PTA

Throughout the year, North Shoreview Montessori (NSM) observes a number of special events to build community spirit and enhance our curriculum. 

Fall International Potluck

Kick off the new school year by attending the annual Fall International Potluck. Join NSM families for an evening of socializing, eating, and dance entertainment. Because our school is rich in cultural diversity, the potluck has always had a delicious international flair. The evening is finished with an amazing night of international dance performances put on by NSM's own students, including American hip-hop, Brazilian samba, traditional Japanese dancing, Mexican folk dancing, and dances of the Hawaiian and Pacific Islands. It's a show not to be missed.

Equinox Celebrations

In celebration of the fall and spring equinoxes in September and March, students celebrate the change of seasons with poems, short plays, or songs during a Friday Morning Gathering. Parents are especially encouraged to attend on these dates.

Historical Timeline and Halloween Celebration

The Historical Timeline is a longtime favorite NSM tradition and is held in October before the morning Halloween parade. It is an opportunity for students in grades two through seven to choose a historical figure, living or dead, to do research on this person, and to then dress as this person. The students start off the event by giving presentations in their classrooms about the historical figure they elected to represent. Then the whole school comes together in our gym and participating students are then individually called up to the stage in timeline order, where they identify themselves. It is wonderful to see history come alive. Students in kindergarten through second grade are asked to be good audiences and watch to see what will be expected of them when they reach third grade. All students are encouraged to use their historical figure costumes for the morning parade.

Thanksgiving Assembly

Each fall, students take time during their cultural studies to learn more about why we celebrate Thanksgiving. In the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, North Shoreview Montessori students create a bag filled with items to give to other children in our community who are in need.  The children present these gifts to representatives of Samaritan House during our Thanksgiving Gathering. The entire audience sings songs of Thanksgiving and individual classrooms may perform plays, poetry, or Native American dances for the celebration.

Santa Lucia Day

The Santa Lucia festivities in December are part of the intermediate grades' study of Europe.  We have celebrated this holiday for three decades as a part of our Montessori program's cultural work. Participating classrooms help make and distribute Santa Lucia buns for the school.  Girls and boys may choose to wear traditional costumes and construct Lucia crowns and Starboy hats.

Lunar New Year

Kindergarten and first grade classes share songs and a dragon procession at a Friday Morning Gathering around the time of the Lunar New Year in January or February.

Literacy Week & Pajama Night

The entire school and their families are invited to come to the school. Stories are shared, a number of classrooms have read-alouds, crafts are made, children make their own ice cream sundaes, and lots of fun is had.

Science Fair

The purpose of the Science Fair is to stimulate in our students an active interest in science; to provide educational experiences that are positive and enriching; to give public recognition and encouragement to students who are interested in science; and to give students at NSM an opportunity to be recognized for extended academic effort. Any NSM student in kindergarten through fifth grade may enter the Science Fair. Suggestions for projects include collections, experiments, demonstrations, plant and animal study, and environmental protection.

Spring Carnival and Earth Day

To encourage conservation and to celebrate Earth Day, our school comes together as a community to clean up the North Shoreview neighborhood.  Following the walk, families enjoy the Spring Carnival with games, food and entertainment from our own student musicians and dancers.

Founders' Day

In June, the school community gathers together to celebrate the founding of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) as well as the establishment of our Montessori program. Each year during this time, our school honors our outstanding citizens with community service awards.

Variety Show

On the last day of the school year, all NSM students are given an opportunity to demonstrate their talents before the whole school. The accomplishments of our students are amazing. Past performances have included singing, dancing, hula hoop, piano, drums, clarinet, puppets, poems, dramatic readings, karate, gymnastics, baton twirling, mime, skits, and magic, among many other talents.